THE COMPETITION to find a developer for King Alfred Leisure Centre has been whittled down to two companies.

Bouygues Development and Crest Nicholson Regeneration in partnership with the Starr Trust have been shortlisted to progress to the next stage of the search to revamp the centre in Hove.

The firms were selected from a shortlist of six applicants by a team of specialist council officers, including the heads of planning and sport, and Deloitte Real Estate advisors.

Shortlisted bidders were selected following a pre-qualification stage with 30 interested firms.

The successful bidders have not been required to submit any plans at this stage but have been chosen for their relevant experience, technical and professional capability and their track record of partnership working and community engagement. They will now be invited to draft design proposals for the sports centre and other parts of the development such as any new homes which are required to help generate funding for the scheme.

Developers can also propose alternative sites for the sports centre as part of the next stage.

Bidders will be invited to submit final tenders by next May with the council hopeful a development partner could be chosen in September 2015. Surrey-based Crest Nicholson has already delivered a major scheme in the city with the award-winning One Brighton eco-development in the New England Quarter as well as the Bolnore Village development and 200 homes at the Orchard Gate in Shoreham.

As well as the King Alfred site, French firm Bouygues Development is proposing a 380 home development on Benfield Valley Golf Course in Hangleton.

Rob Starr, co-founder of the Starr Trust, is behind plans for an arts and leisure centre at the site.

He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen, it feels like an early Christmas present.

“I will do all I can to make sure that it is us that is chosen, I want this more than anybody.”

Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, chairman of the project board, said: “It’s early days and there are no plans to see yet but when we have more detail it will be very important that residents are properly consulted and their views met wherever possible. We also need to be realistic - this sports centre will be privately-funded because councils these days have nothing like the required funds. That money will have to come largely from the proceeds of an enabling development.”

Board member, Councillor Andrew Wealls, said he was “delighted” to have approved two bidders while Councillor Warren Morgan, his fellow board member, said members of all parties were united in their desire to deliver a project on time and in budget after proper and full consultation with residents.